Hugging Face Acquires Pollen Robotics to Advance Open-Source Humanoid Robotics

• Reachy 2, an open-source humanoid robot supporting AI research and VR, is now offered by Hugging Face.
• The $70,000 platform is already used at academic labs and joins the company’s AI development tools.

Hugging Face has acquired Pollen Robotics to expand its role in physical AI through open-source robotics. The move builds on the company’s software-led efforts, including tools like LeRobot and its AI model hub.

As part of the acquisition, Hugging Face now offers Reachy 2, a VR-compatible humanoid robot designed for research, education, and embodied AI. The system is already being used in labs at institutions such as Cornell and Carnegie Mellon.

"We believe robotics could be the next interface for AI — and it should be open, affordable, and hackable. Our vision: a future where everyone from the community can build and control their own robot companions instead of relying on closed, expensive black boxes," Hugging Face stated in the LinkedIn post announcing its acquisition.

🌀 Tom's Take:

Hugging Face’s push into physical AI is a big moment for open-source robotics. These ecosystems thrive on fast innovation and shared tools, making it easier for the whole field to move forward together.

Source: Hugging Face on LinkedIn